Sexual Crimes in Conflict Database

A collection of relevant literature and case law

Showing 11 to 20 of 23 results.

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICC - Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo "Bemba Case"

    Country
    Central African Republic (CAR)
    Keywords
    Rape Torture Reparation

    Reference link
    http://www.icc-cpi.int/car/bemba#17
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Court
    Name of accused
    Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo
    Charges
    (1) Two counts of crimes against humanity namely murder and rape; and (2) Three counts of war crimes: murder, rape and pillaging
    Trial chamber verdict
    On 21 March 2016, the Trial Chamber convicted Mr Bemba for the crimes against humanity of murder and rape and the war crimes of murder, rape and pillaging committed by troops of the Mouvement de libération du Congo (“MLC”) in the Central African Republic from on or about 26 October 2002 to 15 March 2003. It found that Mr Bemba, was criminally responsible for these crimes under article 28(a) of the Statute as a result of effectively acting as a military commander and having effective control over the MLC troops.
    sentencing
    On 21 June 2016, Bemba was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment by the Trial Chamber III. Following Mr. Bemba’s successful appeal against the decision of the Trial Chamber III, the Appeal’s Chamber dismissed Mr Bemba’s appeal against this sentence as moot.
    Appeals chamber verdict
    Mr Bemba filed an appeal against both the judgment and the sentence against him on 4 April 2016 and the appeals hearing took place from 9 to 11 January 2018. On 8 June 2018, the Appeals Chamber, by majority, concluded, that the trial of Bemba was not within the scope of the case. In a summary of its decision, the Appeals Chamber stated that: “the Trial Chamber’s conclusion that Mr Bemba failed to take all necessary and reasonable measures in response to MLC crimes in the CAR, was materially affected by errors and that Mr Bemba cannot be held criminally liable under article 28 for the crimes committed by MLC troops during the CAR operation.” The Chamber also noted in its judgment that “The Pre-Trial Chamber did not enter findings that there were substantial grounds to believe that specific acts of murder, rape and pillaging had been committed, but rather “relied on” or “drew attention, in particular” to certain events and evidence to support its overall conclusions.” Accordingly, the Chamber acquitted Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo from the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    ICC-01/05-01/08

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICTY - Hazim Delic (Mucic et al."Celebici Camp")

    Year
    2003
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes Evidentiary Rules Regarding Sexual Violence Prosecutions
    Country
    Former Yugoslavia
    Keywords
    Akayesu Torture Superior Responsibility Camp Rape/Sexual Violence in Detention

    Reference link
    http://www.icty.org/cases/party/676/4
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
    Name of accused
    Hazim Delic
    Charges
    - Torture as a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 as a war crime and torture as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime under Article 7(1) (committing) for the rape of Grozdana Cecez and for multiple rapes of Milojka Antic (Witness A). - Other sexual violence charges charged under Article 7(3)
    Trial chamber verdict
    Delic was found guilty by the Trial Chamber on 16 November 1998 of: - Torture as a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 as a war crime and torture as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime Delic was found not guilty by the Trial Chamber of: - All the other sexual violence charges for which he was charged under Article 7(3) as the Prosecution failed to prove that Delic had superior responsibility over Celebici prison-camp, i.e. for the multiple rapes of Grozdana Cecez and Milojka Antic (i.e. cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime); for placing a burning fuse cord around the genital areas of two detainees (i.e. willfully causing great suffering or serious injury to body or health as a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 as a war crime and cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime); and for forcing detainees to commit fellatio on each other (i.e. inhuman treatment as a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 as a war crime and cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime).
    sentencing
    Delic was sentenced to 18 years of imprisonment on 8 April 2003.
    Appeals chamber verdict
    The Appeals Chamber on 20 February 2001 stated that “multiple criminal convictions entered under different statutory provisions but based on the same conduct are permissible only if each statutory provision involved has a materially distinct element not contained in the other.” For this reason, it reversed the Trial Chamber’s conviction for torture as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime, but upheld the torture as a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 as a war crime conviction for the rape of Grozdana Cecez and for multiple rapes of Milojka Antic (Witness A).
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    IT-96-21

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICTY - Mico Stanisic (“Stanisic & Zupljanin”)

    Year
    2016
    Issues
    Sexual Violence as a Weapon of War
    Country
    Former Yugoslavia
    Keywords
    Torture Camp Detention Centers Rape/Sexual Violence in Detention Bosnian Muslim Population Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE)

    Reference link
    http://www.icty.org/cases/party/783/4
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
    Name of accused
    Mico Stanisic
    Charges
    - Persecution as a crime against humanity under Article 7(1) of Bosnian Muslim and Bosnian Croat populations, which included sexual violence committed in detention facilities.- Torture as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime under Article 7(1) for subjecting Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats in camps, police stations, military barracks and other detention facilities to various crimes, including sexual violence.- Torture as a crime against humanity, cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime and inhumane acts as a crime against humanity under Article 7(1) for subjecting Bosnian Muslims and Bosnian Croats in camps, police stations, military barracks and other detention facilities to various crimes, including sexual violence (similar as above under ‘torture’).
    Trial chamber verdict
    Stanisic was found guilty by the Trial Chamber on 27 March 2013 of: - Persecution as a crime against humanity. - Torture and murder as violations of the laws or customs of war as a war crime Stanisic was found not guilty of (in light of the cumulative convictions principles): - Torture as a crime against humanity, cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime and inhumane acts as a crime against humanity.
    sentencing
    Stanisic was sentenced by the Trial Chamber to 22 years’ imprisonment on 30 June 2016.
    Appeals chamber verdict
    The Appeals Chamber confirmed the Trial Chamber's judgment on 30 June 2016.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    IT-08-91

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICTY - Milan Simic (“Bosanski Samac”)

    Year
    2002
    Issues
    Sexual Violence against Men
    Country
    Former Yugoslavia
    Keywords
    Rape/Sexual Violence in Prison Torture Genitalia Penis Castration

    Reference link
    http://www.icty.org/cases/party/751/4
    Full reference
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
    Name of accused
    Milan Simic
    Charges
    - Torture as a crime against humanity for kicking four non-Serb prisoners in the genitals, namely Hasan Bicic, Muhamed Bicic, Perica Mišic and Ibrahim Salkic, while gunshots were fired above their heads and for forcing Safet Hadžialijagic to pull down his pants, while one of the men accompanying Milan Simic brandished a knife and threatened to cut off Safet Hadžialijagic’s penis and the other assailants were challenging and exhorting the man wielding the knife to cut off Safet Hadžialijagic’s penis and for concurrently firing gunshots over his head. - Inhumane acts as crimes against humanity and cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime under Article 7(1) for kicking four non-Serb prisoners in the genitals, namely Hasan Bicic, Muhamed Bicic, Perica Mišic and Ibrahim Salkic, while gunshots were fired above their heads and for forcing Safet Hadžialijagic to pull down his pants, while one of the men accompanying Milan Simic brandished a knife and threatened to cut off Safet Hadžialijagic’s penis and the other assailants were challenging and exhorting the man wielding the knife to cut off Safet Hadžialijagic's penis and for concurrently firing gunshots over his head (same acts as for which the conviction for torture as a crime against humanity was based on). - Persecution as a crime against humanity under Article 7(1) for the same acts.
    Trial chamber verdict
    Simic entered a guilty plea on 15 May 2002 and was found guilty by the Trial Chamber of: - Torture as a crime against humanity As Simic entered a guilty plea to torture as a crime against humanity only, the other sexual violence charges were withdrawn. Simic was therefore found not guilty of: - Inhumane acts as crimes against humanity and cruel treatment as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime - Persecution as a crime against humanity
    sentencing
    Simic received a sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment by the Trial Chamber on 17 October 2002.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    IT-95-9/2

  • Jurisprudence judicial mechanism

    ICTY - Milojica Kos (Kvocka et al. "Omarska, Keraterm & Trnopolje Camps")

    Year
    2001
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes
    Country
    Former Yugoslavia
    Keywords
    Sexual Slavery Forced Nudity Inhuman Treatment Akayesu Torture Forced Prostitution Joint Criminal Enterprise (JCE) Kunarac Rape

    Reference link
    http://www.icty.org/cases/party/722/4
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
    Name of accused
    Milojica Kos
    Charges
    - Persecution as a crime against humanity under Article 7(1) (JCE) for sexual assault and rape of Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats and other non-Serbs detained in Omarska camp. - Inhumane acts as crimes against humanity and outrages upon personal dignity as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime for sexual assault and rape of Bosnian Muslims, Bosnian Croats and other non-Serbs detained in Omarska camp.
    Trial chamber verdict
    Kos was found guilty by the Trial Chamber on 2 November 2001 of: - Persecution as a crime against humanity Kos was found not guilty by the Trial Chamber of: - Inhumane acts as crimes against humanity and outrages upon personal dignity as a violation of the laws or customs of war as a war crime
    sentencing
    Kos was sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment on 2 November 2001.
    Appeals chamber verdict
    No appeal in this case.
    Status
    2715
    Case number
    IT-98-30/1

  • Literature

    Kaitesi, Usta and Haveman, Roelof - Prosecution of Genocidal Rape and Sexual Torture....

    Year
    2011
    Country
    Rwanda
    Keywords
    Rape Genocidal Rape Torture Rape, Torture Fair Trial

    Reference link
    https://intersentia.com/en/victimological-approaches-to-international-crimes-africa.html
    Full reference
    Kaitesi, Usta and Roelof Haveman, "Prosecution of Genocidal Rape and Sexual Torture before the Gacaca Tribunals in Rwanda", in Rianne Letschert et al. (eds.), Victimological Approaches to International Crimes: Africa, Intersentia, Cambridge/Antwerp/Portland, 2011, pp. 385-409.
    Type of literature
    Chapter in Book
    Research focus
    Gaps in the Jurisprudence and Legislation on Conflict-related Sexual Violence crimes
    Author
    Kaitesi, Usta and Haveman, Roelof
    Type of mechanism
    Domestic court
    Name of mechanism
    Gacaca Court

  • Literature

    Mouthaan, Solange - Sexual Violence against Men and International Law...

    Year
    2013
    Issues
    Sexual Violence against Men

    Reference link
    https://brill.com/abstract/journals/icla/13/3/article-p665_4.xml
    Full reference
    Mouthaan, Solange, "Sexual Violence against Men and International Law - Criminalising the Unmentionable", in International Criminal Law Review, 2013, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 665-695.
    Type of literature
    Journal Article
    Research focus
    Gaps in the Jurisprudence and Legislation on Conflict-related Sexual Violence crimes
    Author
    Mouthaan, Solange

  • Literature

    Oosterveld, Valerie - Sexual Violence Directed against Men and Boys...

    Year
    2014
    Issues
    Sexual Violence against Men Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes

    Reference link
    https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1109&context=lawpub
    Full reference
    Oosterveld, Valerie, "Sexual Violence Directed against Men and Boys in Armed Conflict or Mass Atrocity: Addressing a Gendered Harm in International Criminal Tribunals", in Journal of international Law & International Relations, 2014, vol. 10, pp. 107-128.
    Type of literature
    Journal Article
    Research focus
    Gaps in the Jurisprudence and Legislation on Conflict-related Sexual Violence crimes
    Author
    Oosterveld, Valerie

  • Jurisprudence non-judicial mechanisms

    Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission

    Country
    Peru
    Keywords
    Forced Prostitution Forced Pregnancy Forced Nudity Rape Torture

    Research focus
    Inequality and Discrimination against Women during Armed Conflict
    Type of mechanism
    Truth Commission
    Name of mechanism
    Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission
    Status
    2715
    Findings
    The TRC found that cases of sexual violence against women were significantly rarer than those of other human rights violations. As in South Africa, however, victims’ feelings of guilt and shame may have led to underreporting. Another reason for the underrepresentation was that much of the sexual violence occurred in the context of other human rights violations, such as massacres, arbitrary detentions, summary executions, and torture. Such abuses tend to overshadow cases of sexual violence, even where the sexual violence can be discerned. The TRC found no evidence of criminal prosecutions of members of the army or the police who committed sexual abuses; nor did it uncover information indicating that complaints filed by victims of sexual violence had been investigated. Sexually abused women often were discriminated against by their own communities and families. This hostile environment made it very difficult for victims to denounce the crimes.
    Recommendations
    It recommended that women who assumed leadership roles during the armed conflict should be recognized appropriately. Concerning health reparations, the TRC suggested that the state should identify the specific needs of women, especially in mental health. It also recommended that the impact of violence in families and gender relationships should be identified.
    Date of report / release
    1903-08-28
    Reparations / awards
    The final report included a comprehensive plan of reparations (PIR) for victims of the violence. The TRC recognized the importance of the gender perspective in the PIR and the need for equal participation of men and women in its implementation. The PIR included symbolic reparations like public gestures, acts of acknowledgement, memorials, and sites of memory. The TRC urged that abuses and crimes against women should be explicitly mentioned in all such events. Finally, the TRC proposed economic reparations for victims of rape and children born as a result of rape.

  • Literature

    Pilch, Frances T. - Rape as Genocide...

    Year
    2002
    Issues
    Definitions/Elements of Sexual Violence Crimes
    Country
    Rwanda, Former Yugoslavia, Sierra Leone
    Keywords
    Torture Women-friendly Institution NGO

    Reference link
    http://genderandsecurity.org/projects-resources/research/rape-genocide-legal-response-sexual-violence
    Full reference
    Pilch, Frances T., Rape as Genocide: The Legal Response to Sexual Violence, Working paper, The Center for Global Security and Democracy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, 2002.
    Type of literature
    Journal Article
    Research focus
    Gaps in the Jurisprudence and Legislation on Conflict-related Sexual Violence crimes
    Author
    Pilch, Frances T.
    Type of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal/Court
    Name of mechanism
    International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL)

This is free software. Created with LinkAhead and Django. Licenced under AGPL version 3.0 (Sources).